Polarization Axis Control for Stereoscopic Display Luminance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optical apparatuses for stereoscopic and two-screen displays face issues with low luminance due to light shielding by electronic parallax barriers and limited observation range due to pixel pitch, and they struggle with image boundary alignment and cross-talk between observers at different positions.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optical apparatus with a polarization axis controlling unit, including a liquid crystal layer and electrodes in a stripe pattern, adjusts the polarization axes of light rays using a lenticular lens to improve display quality by separating light rays into different polarization axes and controlling voltage application to electrodes for mode switching between plane and stereoscopic displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an electronic parallax barrier is arranged on the observer's side of the image display surface to achieve stereoscopic display, then stereoscopic display capability is improved, but luminance of the image is reduced due to light shielding by the barrier
Solution Approach 1:
A polarization membrane is introduced as an intermediary component between the liquid crystal panel and the parallax barrier. This membrane separates light rays into different polarization directions, enabling the parallax barrier to direct left-eye and right-eye images without requiring the barrier itself to block light, thereby maintaining higher luminance while achieving stereoscopic display
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical light-blocking mechanism of the electronic parallax barrier with an optical mechanism using polarization control. Instead of relying on the barrier to physically block light for one eye, the system uses polarization-selective light transmission through the membrane and panel, reducing light loss and improving luminance
2Manufacturing precision
If the pixel pitch of the display panel is reduced to improve image quality, then resolution is improved, but the observation range of the observer is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the observation range in the horizontal dimension by using the parallax barrier to direct light rays from different pixel columns to different observer positions. This allows multiple observers at different horizontal positions to view the display simultaneously, effectively increasing the observation range without compromising vertical resolution
3Adaptability or versatility
If a lenticular lens is used with a polarization controlling liquid crystal panel to achieve two-screen display, then display flexibility is improved, but image boundary alignment is shifted from the center and cross-talk occurs between observers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different electrode width configurations to different regions of the liquid crystal panel. Specifically, electrodes in the left half of the panel have different width characteristics than electrodes in the right half, allowing independent optimization of light ray directions for left-eye and right-eye images, thereby achieving precise image boundary alignment and eliminating cross-talk
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces asymmetric electrode design where the width of electrodes varies depending on their position (left or right side of the panel). This asymmetric configuration compensates for the inherent asymmetry in light ray paths through the lenticular lens, ensuring that image boundaries align correctly at the center and preventing image intermixing between observers
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances display quality by preventing image boundary shift and cross-talk, allowing for accurate image presentation to observers at different positions with improved luminance and observation range, and adjusts the output direction of light rays for optimal display settings.
Implementation Method 1
The polarization controlling liquid crystal panel applies a voltage to a predetermined electrode out of the plurality of electrodes formed in the stripe pattern to change the alignment of the liquid crystal corresponding to the position of the predetermined electrode
Implementation Method 2
changing the alignment of the liquid crystal corresponding to the position of the predetermined electrode. Accordingly, the polarization controlling the liquid crystal panel can output light rays entering the polarization controlling liquid crystal panel as light rays which pass through the liquid crystal corresponding to the positions of the predetermined electrodes and light rays which pass through the liquid crystal corresponding to the positions other than the positions of the predetermined electrode having polarization axes in directions different from each other
Implementation Method 3
a lens arranged between the polarization axis controlling unit having a plurality of linear lens patterns for causing the light rays having the first polarization axis and the light rays having the second polarization axis separated by the polarization axis controlling unit respectively to proceed in predetermined directions
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-optical apparatus includes a display panel that displays an image, an illuminating device that allows light rays to pass through the display panel, a polarization axis controlling unit arranged between the illuminating device and the display panel for allowing light rays having first polarization axis out of light rays outputted from the illuminating device to pass and changing the polarization axes of part of the light rays emitted from the illuminating device to convert the light rays to light rays having second polarization axis different from the first polarization axis, and a lens having a plurality of linear lens patterns for causing the light rays having the first polarization axis and the light rays having the second polarization axis separated by the polarization axis controlling unit respectively to proceed in predetermined directions. The polarization axis controlling unit includes a liquid crystal layer and a plurality of electrodes arranged in a stripe pattern so as to oppose the liquid crystal layer. The width of the electrodes to which a voltage is applied when changing the polarization axes of the part of the light rays emitted from the illuminating device is larger than the width of the electrode to which no voltage is applied.